Posttrauma symptoms in childhood leukemia survivors and their parents

Author(s): Christakis, D. A., Houskamp, B., Kazak, A. E.

Journal/Book: Psychosomatics. 1996; 37: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 254-261.

Abstract: This study used a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress (the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index) to evaluate 64 pediatric leukemia survivors age 7-19 years and their parents (mothers n = 63, fathers n = 42). Based upon normative data for the Reaction Index, 12.5% of the survivors, 39.7% of the mothers, and 33.3% of the fathers reported symptoms consistent with a severe level of posttraumatic stress. The data indicate that a substantial subset of pediatric cancer survivors and their parents experience severe symptoms that can be understood within a posttraumatic stress model. The data are discussed with regard to pediatric follow-up care for cancer survivors, as well as in terms of preventive steps that could be taken to lessen the traumatic aspects of pediatric cancer treatment.

Note: Article ML Stuber, Univ Calif Los Angeles, Inst Neuropsychiat, Child Psychiat Div, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room 48-240, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USA

Keyword(s): POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS; LONG-TERM SURVIVORS; SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN; CANCER SURVIVORS; DISORDER; ADOLESCENTS; ADJUSTMENT; POPULATION; EXPOSURE; BEHAVIOR

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